TABI

"Leusam, please let go of me, my daughter needs me!" I weakly said and broke down, fell on the floor, and cried. He slowly let go of my hands and asked, "What did you say?" I was a whisper of confusion.

"My Tabi needs me," nanghihina kong sambit, awang-awa na ako sa anak ko, she doesn't deserve this, she never deserves any of this. My poor Tabi, this is all my fault.

"K-kailangan a-ako ng a-anak ko," halos hindi ko na mabigkas ng maayos ang sasabihin ko dahil sa sobrang pagiyak ko, pagmay nangyaring hindi maganda sa kanya hindi ko mapapatawad ang aking sarili.

"Your Daughter?" Leusam whisper and slowly kneel down to look at me, patuloy akong lumuluha na hinarap siya, my eyes were blurry because of the painful tears I have right now. Ang tanging malinaw na nakikita ko mula sa kanya ay ang kanyang mga mata na kagaya ng kay Tabitha.

"I'm s-sorry, I'm s-sorry," nanginginig kong inabot ang kanyang kamay at pinaghahalikan ito, habang hinahabol ko ang aking paghinga. Sobrang sakit ng puso ko, "I'm sorry," I whisper.

"So, you're telling me that your daughter is my child?" he seriously asked and gently held my hand. I could see pain and sadness in his eyes as he said those words. "I-I'm sorry," I begged, inayos ko ang pagkakaluhod ko at yumuko sa kanyang hita. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," paulit-ulit kong sambit.

Hindi sumasagot si Leusam sa sandaling panahon na iyon kaya nagpatuloy ako sa pag iyak sa kanyang hita, pinagsisisihan ko ang lahat ng ito. "I'm sorry, sorry, kailangan ako ng anak ko ngayon Leusam please hayaan mo na ako, ililigtas ko anak ko parang awa mo na."

"Where is she?" he asked and slowly lifted me up and copped my face, I felt him wipe my tears. Mas lalo akong umiyak ng magtama ang aming mga mata, punong-puno na ako ng sakit, galit, konsensya, pagsisisi hindi ko na alam kung paano pa siya haharapin.

"Shhh, Louen tell me where is our daughter," he softly said and tears started falling from his eyes, tinanggap niya agad si Tabi at wala man lang akong makitang galit sa kanyang mga mata. "I'm sorry, patawarin mo ako," I whisper and avoid his gaze, hindi ko siya kayang harapin.

"No, no, no, look at me, I'm not mad, yes, I'm in pain but I'm not mad, I will understand your reason but first tell me where is our child right now, what is happening?" he was crying in front of me while saying that, the pain of a father showed up and I couldn't blame anyone but myself about it.

"She's been kidnapped," I whisper and sob so hard, "Leusam may sakit siya, natatakot ako baka anong mangyari sa kanya, Leusam hindi ko kayang mawala ang anak ko, please please please," my whole body was trembling in fear.

"Kailangan nila ng sampung milyon, kapalit ni Tabi please Leusam tulungan mo ako parang awa mo na," I begged at kahit hindi ko na magalawa ng maayos ang aking nanginginig na kamay hinawakan ko ang pisngi niya. "Tulungan mo ako, kailangan ako ng anak ko."

Unti-unting nadudurog ang puso ko habang nagmamakaawa at naiisip ang kalagayan ng anak ko ngayon, baka hindi pa siya pianpakain, baka inaataki siya ng sakit niya, baka sinasaktan nila siya. Hindi ko kaya, hindi ko kaya.

"Parang awa mo na Leusam tulungan mo kami," I shook my head and lean on his chest, please tulungan nyo ako.

Leusam hugged me so tight, "We will get her, I will bring back our child," he firmly said as we were both sobbing in tears.

"We'll get our daughter back, listen to me, we'll bring her back," he cupped my face, wiped my tears, and kissed me. "I love you, we will bring her back," he whispers.

Erille's Point of View

"Tangina, Tangina, Tangina!!!" paulit-ulit na singhal ni Six at sunod-sunod na pinagsusuntok ang pinto. "Ano ba Six walang magagawa yang pagsigaw mo, hindi natin mahahanap si Tabi sa kakaganyan mo, wala tayong magagawa kung wala paring balita hanggang ngayon," nanghihina kong sambit, lahat kami ay kinakain ng takot at pag-aalala kay Tabitha.

Pero alam ko at nararamdaman ko na ok lang siya, "Kasalanan ko ito, kung nilock ko yung pinto hindi sana mangyayari ito, tangina!" sigaw niya at pilit na inilalabas ang galit sa sarili.

"Walang may kasalanan ni----," hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin ko ng bigla niya akong tingnan, "Kasalanan ko ito Erille!!" he shouted into my face before he stepped out of the police station and rode his bike away.

Hinawi ko ang aking buhok bago pinunasan ang aking luha, lahat naman kami ay natatakot para sa kalagayan ni Tabitha pero hindi ito ang tamang oras para sisihin namin ang aming mga sarili.

Napayuko nalamang ako at nanatiling naghintay dito sa loob ng police station, "Please iligtas niyo po si Tabi," I whisper.

"Erille," napalingon ako ng dumating si Jackson.

"Jackson?"

Louen's Point of View

Nanginginig kong hawak ang aking cellphone dito sa loob ng penthous ni Leusam habang nakaupo kami sa sofa at hinihintay ang tawag ng kidnapper.

Lahat ng guard ni Leusam ay nandito sa loob, ikinonekta nila ang aking cellphone sa isang tracking system para madali namin matrace kung nasaan ang mga kidnapper at si Tabi.

"How old is she?" napatingin ako kay Leusam ng hawakan niya ang kamay ko at nagtanong, when I rose my head and look at him, he urge a painful smile. I bit my lower lip to control myself from bursting out, but my tears kept falling.

He smiled and wiped my tears, "Shhh" he whispered, kissed my forehead and caressed my hand. "She's f--," "Five," pagtutuloy niya and he chuckled bitterly. "What's her whole name?" bakas sa boses niya ang sakit pero pilit niyang ipinaparamdam sa akin na ok lang ang lahat.

"Clouise T-Tabitha Del Mundo," I whisper, "Jimenez," pagpapatuloy niya bago inayos ang ilang hibla ng aking buhok. "She is a Jimenez," He calmly said, putting the hair behind my ears.

"What's her s-sickness?" that hurts me to hear his voice crack because he's keeping the pain. "Sickle Cell Anemia," I answered.

Huminga siya ng malalim at tiningnan ako sa aking mga mata, "We can cure her," he whispers, "We will do anything to cure her," he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pull me close to him and let me rest on his chest.

"What's her favorite food?" he asked, "Cookies, vegetables, chocolates, everything," I said and chuckled remembering how Tabi loves to eat.

"What is her favorite color?"

"Purple."

"Her favorite song?"

"Three Bears," he chuckled because of that. "That's cute," he whispered.

"What is her fav---," hindi ko na siya piantapos at agad nagsalita. "Itinago ko siya dahil natakot ako, natakot ako na baka hindi tayo pweded na baka hindi tayo tanggapin ng mundo, na baka hindi iyon tama, kaya tinago ko siya," he stiff because of what I said.

"Natakot ako dahil hindi tayo pwede, na baka pag nakita mo siya subukan natin ipilit pero ang buong mundo ang mismong maglalayo sa atin, dahil langit ka at lupa ako, hindi ko alam kung ano ang totoong pagmamahal, takot ako at mahina," mahina kong sambit bago siya hinarap.

"Did I ask you to think about what the world would think of us?" tanong niya at patuloy na hinawakan ang aking kamay. "I just ask you to wait for me," he said and that really hit my heart so hard.

Muli akong lumuha at yumuko, "Patawarin mo ako," habol hininga kong sambit.

"I already forgive you, even if you don't ask for it, already forgive you and I will always be. So let us not think about what the world would think of us, let's just love each other like it was always the last, and I'll promise you I'll do anything to make you happy and I will cherish you and Tabi for the rest of my life," he whispers, slowly lean closer and kiss my forehead.

"I love you," he utters, I close my eyes and feel him, grab strength from him.

"I love you too," I whispered and we hugged each other. But my phone suddenly rings. Agad lumayo si Luesam sa akin, he gives signals to his men and I start answering the call on a speaker.

"H-hello," I was trembling but Leusam held my hand and mouthed the words, you can do this. I close my eyes and try to gather strength.

"Naiinip na kami kung gusto mo pang makitang buhay itong anak mo pumunta ka ngayong alas dose ng gabi sa paco train station, ikaw lang magisa at dalhin mo ang sampung milyong kailangan namin, kung hindi sasabog sa harapan mo ang ulo ng anak mo," humigpit ang pagkakahawak sa aking Leusam ng marinig iyon.

Nagpatuloy ang aking pagluha dahil sa takot, "Alas dose ng gabi!" they shouted from the other line and turned the call off. Nanglalambot akong yumakap kay Luesam dahil sa takot.

"Sir na trace na po namin, nasa isang maliit na bahay sila malapit sa train station na sinabi" sambit ng lalaking may hawak ng tracking system. Leusam nodded and say, "We'll go there, we'll follow their instruction but make sure that those shits are surrounded, save all the children and my daughter and I'll make those guys' life miserable that they could ever be expected," Leusam darkly said before he stood up and bring me outside the penthouse.

Sumakay kami sa kanyang sasakyan at inilagay ang sampung milyon sa isang itim na duffle bag, nagpalit rin ng damit si Leusam bego kami tumuloy sa lugar na sinabi ng mga kidnapper.

Leusam's men already surrounded the place and some of them head to those guys to hide out to save other kids. "Hey you can do this, I'm at your side," he whispers habang papalabas kami ng sasakyan at sa oras na pagbaba ko ng sasakyan at ang pagtungtong ng oras sa alas dose.

Kasabay non ay ang padating ng isang puting van at may tatlong lalaking bumaba mula doon. They already glared at us when they saw the both of us. "Akala ko ba malinaw sa iyo na magisa ka lang pupunta dito!!!" galit na sambit ng isang lalaki.

"I'm that child's father," Leusam calmly said. "Wala akong pakielam ang sinabi ko ikaw lang!!!" sigaw nito at inilabas ang kanyang baril, itinutok sa amin at bago niya pa ito paputukin ay isang sniffer ang bumaril sa kanya.

Dahil doon nagpanic ang mga lalakeng iyon at nagsimulang makipagbarilan sa mga kasama namin. "Ahh," I heard Tabi's voice yelled, kaya agad akong bumitaw kay Leusam at tumakbo.

"Louen!" I heard Leusam called my name but I need to save my daughter first. Sumugod ako sa barilan at pilit inabot ang loob ng van kung saan nakita ko si Tabi na nakaupo sa sahig at umiiyak sa takot. "Tabi!" I shouted, she looked at me and instantly hugged me.

"Mommy," she said, and Leusam showed up grab my arms and pull Tabi from me, siya ang nagbuhat dito at tumakbo kami pabalik sa sasakyan. "Tigil!" Habang tumatakbo napatingin ako sa isang kidnapper na itinutok ang baril kay Leusam at Tabi kaya mabilis akong humarang bago siya pa paputukin ang kanyang baril.

"Ah mommy!" Tabi shouted and I just felt a pain shoot in my arms. "Louen!" Leusam call my name but everything suddenly blurred out and all I know is that I fell on the floor and lose my conscience.

"Mommy wake up," naririnig ko ang boses ni Tabitha, but my body feels so painful, I can't move. "Mommy wake up Daddy miss you," I can still hear her whisper in my ears. Pero parang ang bigat ng talukap ng aking mga mata at nahihirapan akong imulat ang mga ito.

"Mommy wakey wakey my Daddy is here, wakey wakey Mommy," I could feel her warm breath on my ears, I know Tabi is beside me. Right now, it's just hard to open my eyes. "Mommy wakey wakey, I have my Daddy now, mommy wakey Daddy is here Mommy," Tabi kept whispering and I slowly opened my eyes.

When I opened my eyes the first thing, I saw was my little angel seated beside me in her cute bear costume. "Mommy," she utters, spreads her arms up, and hugged me. "I'm sorry Tabi, Mommy shouted at you, forgive me," I whisper and shed tears.

She tapped my back like an adult and looked at me. "It's ok Mommy, Tabi will not leave Mommy again, and yes to mommy sorry," she mumbled and giggled in front of me. I smiled at her and cupped her face. "Mommy, you have ouchie," she whispered and pointed at my right arm when I have a bandage.

"Buti nalang nadaplisan ka lang nga bala," napatingin ako kay Erille ng magsalita siya, she's standing beside me, I didn't notice her. "Sa susunod wag kang sasalo ng bala, hindi ka si wonder women" sambit niya bago biglang umiyak at niyakap ako. "Tinakot niyo akong mag-ina," she said and cry on my arms.

Six is standing beside her and smiling at me, "Thank god both of you are safe," he whispers and holds my hand.

"I think that is enough" napalingon ako ng tumayo si Leusam at tinanggal ang kamay ni Six, tumayo si Erille at ngumiti habang nagpupunas ng luha. "Bibigyan muna namin kayo ng oras," she said and step out of the room together with Six.

Ngayon ko lang na realize na na sa penthouse ako ni Leusam, "How are you," he whispers and kisses my forehead, holding Tabi in his arms.

I smile and close my eyes, "I'm ok," I didn't expect seeing both of them together could fade the pain I'm feeling right now. "I already introduced myself to this little thing, and do you know what she said?" nakangiting sambit ni Leusam. Tabitha chuckled because she knew what we are talking about her.

"What did Tabi say?" I ask. Tabi hid her face in her father's chest and Leusam chuckled, "She said, I know I was right!" Leusam said and we all laughed together, "I know Daddy is my daddy," she said and hugged Leusam, hiding her shy face.

We all laughed, "Tabi, can you ask mommy to marry daddy?" he whispered to Tabi, but I could clearly hear it. Tabitha instantly nodded multiple times and said, "Yesh, yesh, yesh!!!" she cheerfully said.

That makes me laugh, even more, Leusam brings out a ring from his pocket and gives it to Tabi, "Force Mommy to marry Daddy," He whispers once again. Tabitha nodded like a good soldier and salute her dad before she grabs the ring and show it to me.

"Mommy, marry my Daddy!!!" she said and it doesn't sound like a favor, it more sounds like an order. Leusam and I laugh. "Yes, Ma'am" I answered and they both make me wear the ring.

"I love you" Leusam whispered before he gave me a peck on my lips. "I love you too Daddy" imbis na ako ang sumagot si Tabi ang sumagot kaya mas lalo kaming tumawa.

I didn't realize how fun love is until this day come.

Erille's Point of View

"Seryoso ka na ba dito?" Seryosong tanong ni Louen habang nakaupo kami sa kama niya, ok naman na ang lahat sa kanya siguro oras ko naman para isipin ang aking sarili.

Tumango ako bilang sagot, she sighs before he caresses my hand. "If this will make you happy, I will support you and I will always owe you, our lives," she said and pulled me for a hug. "Sarili mo naman ang pasayahin at protektahan mo ngayon," she said and tap my back.

"Oo, magpapaganda ako ng sobra doon hahaha," I joked and wipe my tears. We are both crying right now. "Tatawagan mo ako ah," she said, I nodded, "Oo naman, mamimiss ko kada minuto si Tabitha syempre tatawag ako," sambit ko at tumawa upang pagaain ang loob niya.

"I wish you'd find your happiness Erille," she whispered, I nodded and grabbed my bag, stood up, and kiss Tabi's forehead beside her, Tabi is sleeping.

"Oh, sige na aalis na ako, wag ka nang umiyak naiiyak ako lalo eh," sambit ko at unti-unti nang naglakad papunta sa pinto. "Bye na," sambit ko.

Louen nodded at me, and then I step out of the room, and find my way out of this beautiful house as I step out of the building Jackson was waiting for me outside leaning on his car. This time I choose myself.

"Jackson?" tanong ko pagpasok niya sa loob ng police station, he smiles at me and seated beside me.

He didn't speak, he just held my hand and gave me that comfort I was seeking for. Naghintay kami hanggang sa mabalitaan namin na nakuha na nila si Tabitha at nahuli ang mga kidnapper.

Hindi ako iniwan ni Jackson hanggang sa malakarating kami kay Louen, papasok na ako sa bahay kung nasaan si Louen ng tumigil si Jackson. "I'll stop here." he said and smiled at me.

"I know this is not the right time, but if you choose yourself tonight, I will wait for you and bring you with me, but if not, this is goodbye, I'll be leaving tomorrow morning 5 am," he said and slowly let go of my hand turn his back on me and let me watch him leave.

Tumuloy ako sa loob at nakilala ang totoong ama ni Tabitha at dumating rin si Six.

"I think that is enough."

"Bibigyan muna namin kayo ng oras." sambit ko at iniwan namin sila sa loob, paglabas ng pinto agad naglakad si Six pababa pero nagsalita ako na nakapagpatigil sa kanya.

"Mahal mo na ba ako?" diretso kong tanong. He stopped and didn't face me. Nanatili kaming tahimik at hinintay ko ang sagot niya pero hindi siya nagsalita at tuluyang umalis pagkatapos.

That's the sign I been waiting for, kinuha ko aking bulsa ang aking cellphone at pinili ang aking sarili.

To Jackson,

Sasama ako sayo.

"Let's go." Jackson smiles at me and guide my head as I went inside his car.

Six's Point of View

I knock a few times and, "Pasok," Louen said from the inside, so I slowly open the door and saw her with Tabi sleeping by her side. "Where is that rich guy?" I ask with a hesitant smile, she smiles and says, "He's in his office," she said. I nodded before I sat at the edge of the bed and looked at her. "Ahm, I don't know what to do," I utter.

I was so messed up the whole time, I'm so scared of what I'm feeling right now. Every time I look at Erille, it feels like she's about to leave me and that makes me even weak because I can't say how much I love her.

The way she looked at me, I felt like I can't make her happy so I choose not to say what I feel for her. I have always been hurting her and I'm scared that if I choose to love her, I will just hurt her even more.

"You know what to do Six, you're just scared," Louen said, smiling at me. "Yes, I'm scared, I mean I've been hurting her the whole time, I don't know if I can make her happy because hurting her the only thing, I'm capable of, how can she love me when all I do is to hurt her," I said and shook my head.

"If you're that scared maybe you should face it now," she said, I raised my head and looked at her with confusion. What does she mean? "She's leaving this morning for Australia and start living there for good," that just stops my whole world and my heart stops beating.

"No," I whisper.

"Yes, and if I were you, I will not waste time anymo---," I didn't let her finish and run as quickly as I could I needed to see her.

I drive as fast as I can to reach the airport and good thing, I saw her outside with that guy. "Erille!!!" I shouted and got off my bike, let it fall beside the street, and ran to her.

"Six?" she utters. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya, my heart is pounding so fast right now. "Erille, I love you," there I say it at last.

"I love you, Erille, I always do," I said. She looked me in the eyes and suddenly she kissed me in front of everyone. "I love you too," she answered. That made my heart jump, "But I refuse you," but suddenly fell into the depths of the sea when she said that. "What?"

"Oo mahal kita at inaamin ko iyon, palagi kong aaminin iyon pero mas pipiliin ko ang sarili ko ngayon Six, sorry I refuse you," she said and turn my back on me, it was like a slow-motion scene when she walks inside the airport together with that guy.

"I was too late," fuck.

Louen's Point of View

A week passed by and now we are standing in front of this white mansion, Leusam was holding my hand and Tabi was on the other side. He looked at me and smiled "Are you ready?" he whispered, kissing my head.

"Natatako---," hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin ko ng harapin ako ni Tabi at ngumiti, "it's ok Mommy" she said and wink at me. "See Tabi said it's ok, so there is no reason to be afraid of," he whispered and pulled us inside.

Pumasok kami sa loob ng mansion at kasabay non ay ang pagtibok ng puso ko sa kaba. Leusam will introduce us to his parents and I am scared that they won't like us.

"Mom? Dad?" Leusam called his parents and suddenly a couple up the stairs showed up. "Leusam my son" his Mom instantly went down and hugged him so tight. "Good thing you're here, Sabrielle is also here, come here my dear," the girl who kiss Leusam showed up and stand beside his Mom.

"I already plan your engagement party iho, Sab and I agreed with a beach part---," hindi natapos ang sasabihin ng nanay ni Leusam ng magsalita si Tabitha. "Hello!" masiglang sambit nito at kumapit sa kanyang ama.

"Whos' this little thing over here?" Leusam's Dad said with a smile and looked at my daughter. Her Mom looked at us and that girl named Sab.

"Mom, Dad this is my daughter Tabitha and this is my fiance Louen," when Leusam said that Sab suddenly cried and ran away. "Sabrielle!!" His mom called her and glared at her son. "What is this Timonthy!!!" she shouted.

"My family," kalmadong sagot ni Leusam, "So, this little thing is my Apo," his father said, Tabi giggled at him and carry Tabi to the dining table. "Come let's eat," he said and smiled at me. Hinawakan ako sa bewang ni Leusam bago sinundan ang kanyang ama at iniwan ang ina doon.

We just talk and eat, laugh the whole time, tuwang-tuwa ang Dad ni Leusam kay Tabi habang ang nanay ni Leusam at hindi kami hinarap. "When is the wedding?" tanong ni Dad ni Leusam.

"Next month," sagot ni Leusam at nginitian ako. I smile back at him. "That's great, feel at home Louen, and call me Dad starting today ok, and you cute little thing call me Papi Lolo," he said and Tabi giggled at him. We just enjoy the dinner and his Dad accepts us without questioning our story.

"Dad we'll head now, I'll just call you and send you some invitation," Leusam said as his Dad walked us out the door. "Sure thing," his Dad said and kissed Tabi before he handed him to me.

"Mommy I want to walk po," Tabi said so I put her down and just held her hand. "Thank you for visiting us Louen, I'll see you at the wedding," His Dad said before he smiles and we take out live.

"Wait for me here," Leusam said as we stood in front of the mansion's gate. I nodded at him and watched him walk to his car. I was looking at my ring when it suddenly slid from my finger and rolled on the street. "Tabi wait," I said and let go of her hand to get my ring.

When I grabbed it Tabi yelled, "Mommy!!" She shouted and when I face her, she push me so hard that I fall to the other side of the road and a loud sound surrounds my ears.

"Tabitha!!" I heard Leusam shout and when I tried to open my eyes, I saw My tabi laying on the road with blood all over her body. "T-tabi." I whisper.